The world around us
Understand descriptions of places, the environment, weather, technology, services and everyday measurements.
Exam scope and assessment notes
All German texts, listening scripts, prompts, model responses, examples and exercises here are original StudyForA practice, not Cambridge assessment material. The map covers the five broad topic areas, the published grammar categories and the paper formats for both syllabus cycles; Cambridge describes its topic sub-lists as examples rather than an exhaustive vocabulary boundary. The separate 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet is linked but has not been reconciled word by word. German-language specialist review, comprehensive vocabulary auditing and full timed paper simulations remain outstanding. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee accent or pronunciation. Speaking checklists and writing review are practice aids, not an examiner mark or Cambridge moderation. This is not a complete 130-hour course. Confirm exam year, series, zone and entry with your school and Cambridge. Use the paper lesson that matches your examination year; speaking and writing practice does not award official marks.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
A product listing says «aus Holz, 30 cm lang, 12 Euro». Which detail is the material?
What you will learn
- Describe people, countries, nationalities, locations and compass directions.
- Understand weather, climate and environmental choices.
- Discuss communication and digital technology.
- Navigate buildings, services, town areas and shopping.
- Interpret size, shape, quantities and materials.
Locate and compare places
Use a compass direction with «im Norden», «im Süden», «östlich von» or «westlich von». A location statement should distinguish where a place is from a judgement about it.
For shopping, check the product, amount, unit, price and opening time. «Das Geschäft ist um die Ecke» gives location; it does not establish that the item is in stock.
Describe weather, technology and materials
«Es regnet», «es ist bewölkt» and «die Temperatur liegt bei zwölf Grad» give different weather details. A climate trend describes patterns over time; a single rainy day is weather, not proof of a climate trend.
For digital communication, explain what the user does and what the message actually confirms. Compare materials by relevant properties: «Die Flasche aus Glas ist schwerer als die aus Plastik.»
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
The market closes at 16:00 and the library at 18:00. How much later does the library close?
Worked example
An information message says: «Im Norden der Stadt ist es heute windig. Der Markt schließt um 16 Uhr. Die Bibliothek bleibt bis 18 Uhr geöffnet.» Which service is available later, and what does the forecast say?
Show the worked solution
- Compare both closing times.
- Keep the weather report separate from service hours.
- Do not infer that every shop has the same hours.
Answer The library stays open two hours later than the market. It is windy in the north of the city today.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Plan a walk from the station to a library, then a market. Give a direction, one distance and an opening-time check in German.
Give me a hint
Use «geradeaus», «links/rechts», a distance and a clock time.
Compare my reasoning
- Give the first direction from the station.
- State how far the next place is.
- Mention which closing time matters.
Example: «Gehen Sie vom Bahnhof geradeaus und biegen Sie links ab. Die Bibliothek liegt etwa 500 Meter entfernt. Prüfen Sie zuerst, ob der Markt vor 16 Uhr schließt.»
Look for these in your work
- Provides a usable direction
- Includes a measurable distance
- Uses the opening-hour detail
Read: «Die App zeigt den Bus um 14.10 Uhr an. Wegen einer Baustelle fährt er heute von einer Ersatzhaltestelle ab. Der Fahrpreis bleibt gleich.» What changed and what stayed the same?
Give me a hint
Separate departure place, time and price.
Compare my reasoning
- Find the reason for the change.
- Identify the replacement departure point.
- Check what the message says about cost.
The bus uses a replacement stop because of roadworks; the fare remains unchanged. The message does not say that the departure time changed.
Look for these in your work
- Identifies the stop change
- Keeps the fare detail
- Avoids inventing a time change
Choose between two reusable bottles: a 500 ml plastic bottle weighing 90 g for 8 euros, and a 750 ml glass bottle weighing 420 g for 12 euros. Recommend one for a long walk and state the trade-off in German.
Give me a hint
Compare capacity, weight and price; connect the choice to the walk.
Compare my reasoning
- State which holds more.
- Compare weight and price.
- Make a recommendation with a reason and trade-off.
Example: «Die Glasflasche fasst 750 Milliliter, ist aber deutlich schwerer und teurer. Für eine lange Wanderung würde ich die leichtere Plastikflasche wählen; sie fasst weniger, wiegt aber nur 90 Gramm.» This is an illustrative product comparison.
Look for these in your work
- Uses the measurements correctly
- Names a real trade-off
- Links the choice to the context
Common mistakes
- Confusing a place's location with its distance
- Treating one day's weather as a climate pattern
- Assuming a website or shop confirms stock without saying so
What can you explain now?
Which phrase locates a city to the east of another?
Compare with the explanation
östlich von
It means “east of”.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
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Make it stick
Before leaving the world around us, explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint and name one point to practise again.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.